Health Equalities Group leading regional action on Healthier Weight for North East & North Cumbria

Throughout 2025, staff from Health Equalities Group (HEG) have played a central role in supporting early stage development of a region-wide Healthy Weight Declaration for North East and North Cumbria. Commissioned by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, HEG designed and facilitated four co-production workshops between March and July, bringing together partners from the NHS, local authorities, voluntary and community organisations, education, planning and public health across the region.

Following each workshop, HEG produced a detailed findings report capturing local priorities, challenges and examples of good practice from Tees Valley, North Cumbria, the Central ICP and the North ICP. These four reports ensured that local voices and context were fully reflected. HEG then led the development of a final synthesis report, analysing the evidence across all workshops to identify common themes and shared system-wide priorities.

The synthesis highlighted five consistent themes, including the need for strong leadership, healthier environments, tackling inequality and stigma, supporting the workforce, and strengthening partnerships. Together, these reports now provide the evidence base for a North East and North Cumbria Healthy Weight Declaration, which will set out shared commitments across the system. HEG will continue to support partners during 2026 as the declaration is refined and prepared for launch, helping to drive long-term action to reduce health inequalities and support healthier communities.